Taia vs Lokalise: The Best Lokalise Alternative for Document Translation

Why Business Teams Choose Taia Over Lokalise

Lokalise is excellent for developer teams localizing software and mobile apps—but what about your marketing content, business documents, presentations, and customer materials?

Taia is built for complete business translation needs, not just string-based software localization. Upload full documents (Word, PowerPoint, PDF, InDesign), preserve all formatting, and choose between instant AI or professional human translation—all in one platform.

If your team needs to translate more than just code, Taia is the Lokalise alternative you’ve been looking for.

Taia: Document-First Translation Platform

While Lokalise focuses on software strings and JSON files, Taia’s translation platform handles complete business content across 65+ file types.

Perfect for Business Teams

Full Document Translation
Upload entire PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, PDFs, Excel spreadsheets, InDesign files—not just JSON strings. All formatting, styles, and design preserved automatically.

Marketing & Business Content
Translate marketing campaigns, product catalogs, sales materials, customer documentation, and more. Lokalise is built for developers; Taia is built for entire businesses.

AI + Human Flexibility
Start with instant AI translation ($0.01/word), then add professional human review when quality matters. ISO 17100 certified linguists available on-demand.

189 Languages
Broader language coverage than Lokalise’s 400+ locales (which include regional variants). Taia supports all major languages plus specialized pairs for global reach.

Translation Memory Saves 70%
Automatic translation memory reduces costs on repeated content by up to 70%. Works across all file types and projects—not just software strings.

No Developer Required
Marketing, product, and business teams can translate independently. No GitHub integration needed, no JSON file wrangling, no developer bottlenecks.

Lokalise: Built for Software Localization

Lokalise is a localization management platform designed specifically for developers, designers, and localization managers working on web and mobile apps. It excels at string-based translations and developer workflows.

Lokalise Strengths

✅ Excellent for software localization (JSON, XLIFF, strings files)
✅ Strong GitHub/GitLab integration for continuous localization
✅ Developer-friendly API and command-line tools
✅ In-context editing for UI strings
✅ Version control integration

Lokalise Limitations for Business Content

❌ String-based only – Not optimized for full documents like Word, PowerPoint, PDF
❌ No formatting preservation – Doesn’t handle complex layouts, designs, styles
❌ Developer-centric workflow – Marketing and business teams need dev help
❌ Limited file type support – Focuses on software files, not business documents
❌ No built-in professional services – Must source human translators separately
❌ Complex for non-technical users – Steep learning curve for non-developers

Who Lokalise is for: Product teams, developers, and engineering-led localization of software products and mobile apps.

Who it’s NOT for: Marketing teams, business users, or anyone needing to translate documents, presentations, catalogs, or non-code content.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Feature	Taia	Lokalise
Primary Use Case	Business documents + software	Software/app localization (strings)
Translation Type	AI + optional ISO-certified professional human review	Cloud platform with MT and human translator marketplace
Supported Languages	189 languages	400+ locales (includes regional variants)
Document Support	Yes—Word, PDF, PPT, Excel, InDesign with formatting preserved	Limited—focuses on string files (JSON, XLIFF, iOS, Android)
File Support	65+ file formats (DOCX, PPTX, PDF, XLSX, IDML, JSON, XLIFF, etc.)	Software-focused (JSON, XLIFF, PO, strings, XML)
Formatting Preservation	Yes, automatic for all file types	No—string-based (formatting not applicable)
Translation Memory	Yes, built-in with automatic learning	Yes, with configuration
Glossary Support	Yes, built-in	Yes, with terminology management
CAT Editor	Built-in for all content types	In-context editor for software strings
GitHub/GitLab Integration	API available	Native integration (Lokalise strength)
Professional Services	Yes, ISO-certified linguists available on-demand	Marketplace (must source separately)
Best For	Marketing, business teams, full-document translation	Developers, product teams, software localization
Learning Curve	Low—intuitive for non-technical users	Medium—developer-centric interface
Setup Time	Instant (upload and translate)	Moderate (requires integration setup for optimal use)
Pricing Model	Pay per word (no per-user fees)	Subscription tiers + add-ons

Why Taia Is the Best Lokalise Alternative for Business Teams

1. Translate Complete Documents, Not Just Strings

Lokalise workflow: Export strings from code → Translate JSON → Re-import → Rebuild
Good for: Software UI, mobile apps, website strings

Taia workflow: Upload full document → Translate → Download with formatting intact
Good for: Marketing materials, business documents, presentations, catalogs, PDFs

Example use cases where Taia wins:

Product launch presentations (PowerPoint with branding)
Marketing one-pagers (InDesign with graphics)
Sales collateral (PDF brochures with images)
Financial reports (Excel with formulas)
Legal contracts (Word with formatting)
Training materials (multi-file document sets)

Explore marketing localization →

2. No Developer Bottleneck

Lokalise: Marketing needs developer to export strings, configure projects, manage GitHub integration.
Taia: Marketing uploads documents directly, translates, and downloads—no dev involvement needed.

Result: Marketing campaigns launch faster, business teams are self-sufficient, developers focus on code.

3. AI + Human in One Platform

Lokalise: Connects to MT engines (extra setup) + translator marketplace (separate sourcing)
Taia: AI translation built-in + professional human services one click away

Mix and match:

Internal docs → AI-only ($0.01/word)
Marketing content → AI + professional review
Legal/compliance → Full TEP (translation, editing, proofreading)

4. True Document Context

Lokalise: Translates strings in isolation—translators don’t see full page context
Taia: Translates entire documents—AI sees full context for accurate, natural translations

Result: Better translations, fewer revisions, maintained brand voice across content.

5. Built-In Translation Memory Across All Content

Both platforms offer TM, but Taia’s works across all content types—documents, presentations, software files, websites—in one unified memory.

Lokalise TM: Works well within software projects
Taia TM: Works across marketing, sales, support, product, legal—entire business

Save up to 70% on repeated phrases, product descriptions, legal disclaimers, brand messaging.

Learn more about translation memory →

When to Choose Lokalise vs Taia

Choose Lokalise if:

✅ You’re primarily localizing software/mobile apps
✅ Your team is developer-led
✅ You need deep GitHub/GitLab integration
✅ You’re translating mostly JSON, XLIFF, strings files
✅ You want in-context editing for UI strings

Choose Taia if:

✅ You need to translate business documents (Word, PDF, PowerPoint, Excel)
✅ Your team includes marketing, sales, support, product
✅ You want non-technical users to translate independently
✅ You need formatting/design preserved
✅ You want AI + professional human services in one place
✅ You translate diverse content types, not just software

Use Both if:

💡 Developers use Lokalise for app/software localization
💡 Business teams use Taia for documents, marketing, and content

Many companies use Lokalise for product strings and Taia for everything else.

Perfect for These Use Cases

✅ Marketing Teams

Campaign materials, landing pages, social media, email templates
Marketing localization solution →

✅ Sales Teams

Proposals, presentations, case studies, product sheets, contracts

✅ Ecommerce

Product catalogs, descriptions, category pages, checkout flows
Ecommerce localization solution →

✅ Customer Success

Help documentation, knowledge base, training materials, onboarding guides

✅ Product Teams (Non-Code)

Product requirements, roadmaps, user research, design specs

✅ Legal/Compliance

Contracts, terms of service, privacy policies, compliance documentation

✅ SaaS Companies (Beyond UI)

In-app content, email notifications, help centers, marketing site
SaaS localization solution →

Migration from Lokalise

Switching from Lokalise (or using both) is straightforward:

For software content:

Keep using Lokalise for your codebase strings
Use Taia for non-code business content

For business content migration:

Export translation memories (TMX format)
Import into Taia with one click
Upload documents and start translating

Many teams use both: Lokalise for developers, Taia for everyone else.

Book a consultation →

Try Taia Free—No Credit Card Required

See why business teams choose Taia for document translation beyond software strings.

Your free account includes:

✅ 5,000 words per month
✅ 50 languages
✅ 15 file types (DOCX, PDF, PPT, and more)
✅ Translation memory & glossaries
✅ Unlimited team members
✅ Full document translation with formatting

Start Free—Translate Documents Today

No credit card • No developer required • Start in 2 minutes

Or book a demo to see how Taia handles your specific document types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Lokalise’s competitors?

Lokalise competitors for software localization include:

Crowdin - Similar developer-focused platform
Phrase (Memsource) - Enterprise TMS with developer tools
Transifex - Agile localization for dev teams
Smartling - Enterprise-grade localization platform

For business document translation (Lokalise’s weak spot):

Taia - Best for full-document translation with AI + human services
Traditional translation agencies (slower, more expensive)

Compare Taia with other platforms →

What are the best Lokalise alternatives?

Best Lokalise alternatives by use case:

For software/app localization (like Lokalise):

Crowdin, Phrase, Transifex

For business document translation (NOT like Lokalise):

Taia - Full documents, 65+ file types, AI + professional services
Smartling - Enterprise TMS (expensive, complex)

For both software + business:

Use Taia + Lokalise together - Lokalise for code, Taia for documents

Does Lokalise have translation memory?

Yes, Lokalise includes translation memory functionality with features like translation suggestions, matching, and version history.

Taia’s translation memory:

Works across all content types (not just software strings)
Automatic learning from every translation
Cross-project memory for entire organization
Up to 70% cost savings on repeated content
Export anytime in standard TMX format

Learn about Taia’s TM →

Does Lokalise support glossaries?

Yes, Lokalise offers terminology management and glossaries for maintaining consistent translations.

Taia’s glossaries:

Import from TBX, CSV, or Excel
Enforce terms automatically during translation
Highlight glossary matches in editor
Share across teams and projects
Available in all paid plans

Are there cheaper alternatives to Lokalise for indie developers?

For indie developers and startups:

If you need string-based localization:

Lokalise free tier - Good for small projects
POEditor - Affordable for indie devs
SimpleLocalize - Budget-friendly option

If you also need business content translation:

Taia free tier - 5,000 words/month, includes documents + software files
Scale up as you grow with transparent per-word pricing

Taia offers more flexibility for indie developers who wear multiple hats (code + marketing + content).

Is Lokalise accurate?

Lokalise accuracy depends on the translation method:

Machine translation: Depends on MT engine (Google, DeepL, etc.)
Human translators: Depends on translator marketplace quality

Taia accuracy advantages:

Context-aware AI analyzes full documents (not isolated strings)
ISO 17100 certified professional translators when needed
Translation memory ensures consistency across projects
Quality tiers: AI-only, AI+human, or full TEP

What is Lokalise AI pricing?

Lokalise charges separately for machine translation through integrations with MT providers (Google Translate, DeepL, ModernMT, etc.). Pricing varies by:

Platform subscription tier
MT provider choice
Words translated
Additional features (TM, glossaries)

Taia AI pricing: Simple and transparent

AI translation: From $0.01/word (included in plans)
No separate MT charges
Translation memory discounts automatic (up to 70% off repeated content)

View full pricing →

How does Phrase compare to Lokalise?

Phrase (formerly Memsource):

Enterprise TMS, traditional interface
Strong for translation agencies and LSPs
More expensive than Lokalise
Better API and integration options

Lokalise:

Modern, developer-friendly interface
Better for product teams and startups
More affordable than Phrase
Easier to set up and use

Taia vs both:

Best for business documents (both Phrase and Lokalise are software-focused)
More affordable than both
Easier for non-technical users
AI + professional services in one platform

Lokalise vs Taia: which is better for startups?

Choose Lokalise if:

You’re a software startup localizing your product/app
Your team is developer-led
You primarily translate UI strings and code

Choose Taia if:

You’re translating diverse content (marketing, sales, product docs, AND software)
Your team includes non-developers who need to translate
You want AI + human flexibility
You need full-document translation with formatting

Many startups use both: Lokalise for product strings, Taia for business content.

Taia advantages for startups:

Lower barrier to entry - Free tier with 5,000 words/month
No per-user fees - Add entire team at no cost
Faster time-to-market - Non-devs can translate independently
All-in-one solution - Don’t need separate tools for different content types

What is the difference between Smartling and Lokalise?

Smartling:

Enterprise-focused ($100K+ annual commitments)
Comprehensive TMS with high implementation costs
Best for large companies with dedicated loc teams